Town Square

Town Drunks On the Trail

Original post made
by Trail User, Danville,
on Sep 9, 2013

I am a regular walker along the Iron Horse Trail and after observing the trends over the last 6 months I thought it was time to ask for ask for more frequent police monitoring of the problem area just north of the Museum. There has been one disheveled man in grimy clothes, baseball cap and a glass in his hand hanging out on the benches for 4 or 5 years and he now frequently will have 2 or 3 additional "buddies" joining him. The man in the baseball cap is increasingly bellicose and threatening and now sleeps on the bench 3 or 4 nights a week. Now that school is in session he hassles kids as they walk by and the situation seems to be deteriorating as his illness progresses.
This is a wonderful shady area that has been upgraded with benches and a drinking fountain and having these menacing miscreants loitering persistently is detracting from the use and enjoyment of this shady dell. I'm hoping that when the parking enforcement officer is walking the Lunardi's parking lot they can cross the street and check on the benches as well and ask these fellows to move on. The situation is getting worse.

I know the benches you are referring too, and though am am not certain of the exact fellow you are identifying, I see anywhere from one to three vagrants there quite often when I ride.
The squeaky wheel gets the oil. I don't ride with my phone, but keep pestering the police. I can take my phone along next time and to the same.
Remember folks, if you do call, use the non-emergency number.

These guys are a problem, and their numbers are increasing, they have the water fountain, shade, and the bathroom at the caboose. I am not insensitive to the needs if the alcoholic homeless folks in our town but to have them loiter along the trail next to our high school is not cool...

I have also noticed recently that the guy in the baseball hat is getting louder and more confrontational to people jogging and biking by, and I have safety concerns for the moms pushing their strollers and elderly people trying to enjoy the trail. He sits on the bench in the shade beyond the museum area near the water fountain, and it is only a matter of time before he and his two "buddies" cross the line from being annoying to causing physical harm to some woman, child, or elderly person.

Geoff, I know you often monitor the Town Square as the spokeperson or contact for the Town of Danville, and am hoping you can pass this concern onto the Danville Police Department before it is too late. He probably has outstanding warrants, and at minimum is intoxicated and/or strung out on drugs in public, and it would be great if you could have the Danville PD look into this.

Posted by Geoff Gillette
a resident of Danville
on Sep 10, 2013 at 10:20 amGeoff Gillette is a registered user.

Good morning,

Thanks to Trail User for starting the discussion.

I passed along your concerns to the Danville PD. Chief Steve Simpkins assured me that they are aware of issues with several individuals at that crossing area. . Officers regularly patrol the area and take enforcement action as appropriate.

The suggestion made earlier in the thread by Derek is a good one. If you see threatening or criminal behavior, contact the PD immediately. And thanks also to Derek for suggesting the use of the non-emergency contact number, which is (925) 820-2144.

They were back there today on my run at 12:15, Mr.Baseball cap was still asleep on the bench in his sleeping bag. He was still there passed out at 1:00 as I returned to the Lunardi's lot. There was a Danville cop doing parking patrol and writing parking tickets at the same time.

Sorry, you're all being polite, but I walk the trail frequently and want the bum out of there. I consider it loitering. The reason I live in Danville is to get away from the less desirable people, or I'd be living in San Francisco.

Posted by resident walker
a resident of Danville
on Sep 12, 2013 at 8:08 am

Really? OMG! Is that the purpose of that bench? Someone's bed? Good use of somebody's money or donation...did they know that when they gave to that fund? How can anyone take a rest on it when this bum is sleeping all day on it...Danville PD needs to do their job and get them out of the area. Sensitivity is over rated in this case and this has gone on way too long. What about the people who walk that trail? What will he do next? Desperate people do desperate things...

I have been reporting them to the Danville Police for the the better part of 2 years (probably closer to 3) First - it was just Wayne (the redheaded drunk), then Iger came along, now the guy with 3 wheeled bicycle along with a few others I sometimes randomly see. Prospect Ave was their "territory line" - one had the turf North and the other had South (not sure if this is still the case). The police would haul them away IF if they were breaking the law, however they ALWAYS return after a few short days. I've pretty much given up because it's the same cycle over and over again. For the most part they are pretty harmless and I think the police know that. It's to the point where they are limited to what they can do - this is why they keep returning.

Posted by resident walker
a resident of Danville
on Sep 12, 2013 at 9:09 am

Haha...you totally missed my point... Btw, the sky never falls in my world! Just sayin'...haven't you ever noticed that someone has to die for a stop sign to be erected? We are a reactive society rather than a proactive one...

It's bad enough that these scum bags cause some tax paying residents of San Ramon/Danville/Alamo to avoid this section of the trail. It'll probably be only a matter of time before one of them assaults somebody-hopefully not one of our children.

Dear Steve..This is the reason our country is in the shape it's in...people like you... You should run for some public officer, you seem to fit mold. I am sure if you had a daughter and she walked with her friends on the Iron Horse Trail your naive attitude would change. But maybe not...

Thank for listening, Julia Pardini from Alamo.

PS..if I walked the trail and anyone of those poor drunks approached me...well let just say my baseball bat would make connection with their knee-caps and let the rest be history.

Unfortunately nothing will happen to correct this matter until something happens you one of the children or to and elderly person.

I too have seen the guys hanging out at the bench on the Iron Horse Trail. The last time I saw them one of them was in a tree screaming really loudly. I read other posts and it sounds like lots of people have contacted the police and it continues to happen....why?

I too have seen the guys hanging out at the bench on the Iron Horse Trail. The last time I saw them one of them was in a tree screaming really loudly. I read other posts and it sounds like lots of people have contacted the police and it continues to happen....why?

Yeah, Julia: and being on The Sauce hurts your aim, too. Posting under the influence is one thing -- and by all evidence it's pretty common around here -- but attacking folks while inebriated can get complicated, pretty fast.

Just ask that poor bastard in San Jose who got shot 20 times -- and all he was doing was sleeping-it-off.

These guys sometimes say some disgusting things to people as they go by. One was throwing rocks at kids and when I called 911, he threw one at me, so I threw him a few times and he went to jail for about a month. The guy on the trike seems harmless, the others can be confrentational. The Danville police arrest these guys regularly.

Posted by Aline Soules
a resident of Danville
on Sep 12, 2013 at 11:21 am

There are homeless people on other parts of the trail, but I find them less of a problem than the number of dogs that off leash. I am often scared and try to avoid them. I've stopped walking the trail regularly because I don't want to run into them. The owners need to keep them on leash and under control.

Regarding 'N's' comment, people who have mental illness or a drinking problem don't end at a particular town limit sign! True, this isn't San Francisco or Oakland, where we expect urban problems on a larger scale; however, just because it's Danville, one can't bury their head and say problems don't exist. This is a provincial mindset at best and ignorance at worst.

Wow, so many of you demonstrate the ignorant, entitled, arrogant attitude that can give Danville a bad name. I am a Danville native who is now raising my 3 children here. I grew up with Wayne and Iver, who suffer from severe mental illnesses. I see them around town the same as all of you, and hear them yelling or what have you. But really, can you not use that moment to acknowledge some gratitude that "there, but for the grace of God, go I"? Instead you have to react with judgement and rage? So I can now use this moment to look at all of you and have MY moment of gratitude, that Thank God I have not turned out like you. Try some compassion, people. It makes the world a better place.

Posted by Downtown Resident
a resident of Danville
on Sep 12, 2013 at 3:00 pm

Very well put, Kathleen. Last I checked loitering on PUBLIC PROPERTY wasn't necessarily illegal.

I'm also pretty skeptical of the "violent" accusations here. I have encountered them on almost a daily basis through the years, and while they may mumble some gibberish, I have NEVER seem them yell or threaten anyone. They are usually pretty friendly if you flash a smile and say hello.

To Kathleen, well said. I'm a long time Danville resident and have raised two kids here. It's a great town in that crime is so wonderfully low that some get their hackles up when they see "bums", "less desirables", etc in our pristine walkways. Danville residents all have it unusually good here, but does that give us the right to judge? If you want to see these less fortunate gone from Danville then you better start working the shelters and rehab centers to help fix the problem and stop wasting police time.

Posted by 45 year local guy
a resident of Danville
on Sep 12, 2013 at 4:26 pm

My sentiment exactly Kathleen, very well said. I too have known Wayne for over 30 years, and always say hi when I see him downtown. He has never bothered me or my family. Too many here are quick to judge, not everyone is perfect.

So Jane, one of them was in a tree yelling loudly? Are you sure you weren't passing by Tower Grill or Menar's? I highly recommend you carry a baseball bat like me and swing for the fences! By golly, there is no need for tree climbing or yelling in this town!
And anybody who doesn't care for my drinking can heave ho!
Thanks for listening - Julia from Alamo

Great that you grew up with Wayne KATHLEEN, invite him to your front porch therefore. As a 30 year resident I can tell you I do not want mentally ill vagrants congregating right across the street from the San Ramon Valley Museum the kids go to for field trips. I do not want mentally ill vagrants hassling runners, walkers and bikers along the trail next to the water fountain. Wayne is sick and getting worse. Kids learn how to ride bikes there, toddlers chase squirrels happily there, elders want to sit in the shade too on the benches that our town drunks now call theirs. This is a no brainier for the cops , if they can not keep the museum area safe right across from the new Danville Hotel project than who can? Can we deputize Castle Development security to do what the Danville cops clearly have found impossible to do over the last 4 years? Why are these 2 characters so beguiling that our highly vaunted police just can't seem to get the place cleaned up? Enough is enough already for goodness sake Chief...

I agree completely with JRM on this issue. Obviously, it is very sad that there are homeless people, who often have a mental illness or other factor causing their behavior. Being homeless is not a crime. But throwing things at people, urinating in public, threatening and harassing people who are simply trying to enjoy the trail is a crime, and the police need to enforce the laws before their criminal behavior ends in an innocent child or elderly person being seriously hurt by these people. I donate a great deal of money to St.Isidore Church, St.Vincent Depaul, and other charities that provide christian services to the homeless, as we have a responsiblity to help those who can not help themselves. However, I also pay a great deal in taxes, and it is not too much to expect the police to enforce the laws(besides never ending parking and speeding tickets) and remove these people who are a criminal nuisance before they seriously hurt someone.

sorry folks. homelessness is a choice (many times), and this is public property you're talking about (IH trail). As long as there is no crime being committed (vagrancy/loitering come to mind),these asshats can sit anywhere they want. Deodorant is optional, as are clean clothes. Deal with it - you sound like a bunch of crybabies.
To that point, who specifically has had something thrown at them, been physically threatened, or seen anything other than a monkey in a tree yelling? Since when is that against the law?

Posted by Shhh!
a resident of Greenbrook Elementary School
on Sep 13, 2013 at 9:24 am

I have met a lot of people in my area who are drunks (mostly women). They are functioning drunks, partying nightly on wine or cocktails to dull life's pain. So sad that so many people turn to alcohol. That choice is poison to the body and brain.

My heart goes out to those that suffer with mental illness, especially when they cannot function very well in society. Although these gentlemen are not the most desirable in public settings, it is wrong to think that they are less than us just because we all go home to our overpriced housing & our expensive bottles of Rombauer Chardonnay (which by the way, has been coined as Danville crack).

Posted by JRM
a resident of Vista Grande Elementary School
on Sep 13, 2013 at 2:04 pm

Thank You American...this is a true story, as I went for my run last Sunday morning at 9:00 along the trail North I saw 2 guys sacked out on the benches, and the trike dude reading on another bench close by his slumbering compadres. I was irritated it was 9:00 in the morning and they were still sawing logs along the trail taking up the benches. Here is the kicker, as I return 40 minutes later from running up to Stone Valley and back the boys are still there and Stephen Tanabe wraps up his run and stops at the end of the trail with his dog. I wanted to say..."Officer Tanabe can you ask these guys to move along" and sadly realized I would let him chill before he gets the slammer. The drunks just kept snoring away..I then realized it is probably up to us to identify areas of priority for municipal enforcement as the past indicated the Danville cops had WAY TOO much time on their hands. Hence our plea here on this forum.

seriously. Danville PD actually doing anything but deploying two cars to pull over the 17 year old SRV High cheerleader for an illegal lane change? Are you kidding me? They are far too busy with cheerleaders, looking for their newest cruiser or motorbike to scoot around on, or filling up their bellies at Chipotle by Trader Joes (they're usually there around 7 on weeknights - see for yourself). Don't kid yourselves - between them and the FD it's the biggest group of freeloaders on the planet (other than the politicians). DO NOT ask a Danville PD officer to enforce the law - they "own" Danville.

Why is it that the Danville PD can't take care of the loitering situation? One of our fine officers a while back had no problem questioning my son and myself as we sat at the Danville So. Park and had our coffee and bagel. He wanted to know where we lived and asked for ID. I informed him that I'd lived in Danville for 31 years and obliged him by showing ID. My son didn't have his on him but the officer took my word that he was who he said he was, (so nice of him). It was ridiculous to say the least. I was informed by the officer that there are a lot of drug deals going on in the parks even though it's Danville. I'm 63 and my son is 29 and we sure in the heck don't give the image of drug dealers. What a waste of time and money. So again, why do we have vagrants hanging around the Iron Horse Trail?

Posted by Robert Sicks
a resident of Danville
on Sep 13, 2013 at 9:51 pmRobert Sicks is a registered user.

Seriously? Reading so many of the whiny, ridiculous comments above from people who sound like they want to live in a bubble, reminds me of a canceled TV show years ago called Bakersfield PD. Very dry humor series about a small town police force. The running gag was the Sgt. at briefing asking the shift cops "whose turn is it to watch "the" homeless guy today?" Wow, so Danville is big-time with 2 well-known homeless guys and a new guy on a trike.

There's not enough time or space to respond to all he posts above, many being slanted opinions and hogwash in my opinion. I will state some facts if you can handle them:

#1 Have you read the 2012 annual police report on the town webpage? Property crimes are down. Accidents are at a 10-year low with 0 fatals in 2012. Maybe those tickets being written, by those cops that have nothing better to do, made a difference. Maybe those same cops being more pro-active on patrol have made the bad guys think twice about doing their dirty deeds in Danville. None of the surrounding agencies can claim a drop in crime.

#2 If you have called and reported an "event" on the Iron Horse Trail, then you complain the Danville cops aren't doing anything, you probably don't have a clue that the Iron Horse Trail right-of-way belongs to Eastbay Regional Parks. IHT calls don't get routed to Danville PD. I didn't see anybody above slamming EBRPPD for lack of responding to complaints along the trail.

#3 Have any of you called the DA's office and asked why, after hundreds of arrests over the years, our two most well known Danville "gentlemen" are back on the street before the cops finish their paperwork?

To the, again in my opinion, "slanted opinion and hogwash" posters above, you don't seem to know how well off you have it living here in Danville and the true level of police services you are receiving.
Using the homeless gentlemen as a veiled way to slam the cops is low budget. Bring on some facts or the next time you have a prowler or really need the police, call a hippee.

Thank you to the handful of posters above that showed support and/or seem to understand the bigger picture facts. I mean no disrespect to you guys in any way shape or form.

This isn't a Danville elitist thing. He's a nuisance and he's been harassing people for years Web Link
It's a County/District Atty issue not Danville PDs fault. DPD is helpful and take him to jail if warranted but they can only do so much.
A few months ago, I saw a lady in a late model black Cadillac sedan pull off the side of the road by Togos, pop her trunk and Wayne was grabbing some goods/clothes. Iver's mom lives in Danville. This is an issue of people making their problems (parents of these guys) someone else's problem (society/Danville/WC/police/etc). If I had a dog I didn't want, would I just open my gate and let it run out into the community? No. This is only an analogy don't get too excited.
So, looks like the DA and family of these guys need to be nagged not DPD. Any ideas how to be a squeaky wheel to these parties?? Complaining and saying 'don't be stuck up Danville elitist' is easy. Let's do something about it. If they need mental help (not from a bottle) then there are govt programs for that. This isn't reinventing the wheel...

Memo to the Danville P.D. Left for my run at 8:15 this morning, Wayne sacked out on the bench. Returned at 9:00.....Wayne's sacked out on the bench. Families gathering for the Farmer's Market opening....Wayne sacked out on the bench. I gather the Danville P.D. has determined our pleas here are to be ignored. Can our Mayor do anything to help us make the Museum area safe for children? We can go to Powell/Market to see the same stuff. Why vote for Newell in his next quest for office?

Posted by Merry Dane
a resident of Danville
on Sep 14, 2013 at 5:25 pm

Arresting these men repeatedly for nuisance behavior is a waste of resources. They go through a few days of hassle and then they are back on their benches again. Is there a non-legal-system solution?

One morning I went for a run on the trail. On my way out, a nice lady got out of her car and brought Wayne and his friends a stack of books to read. As I passed them on my way back, a man brought Wayne a sandwich. No doubt these are compassionate, well-intentioned people but what is the end game? Wayne eats for a day and maybe he reads a story, but at the end of the day he is still mentally ill and sleeping on a bench.

It seems to me that blaming the families is cruel. Mentally ill people are notoriously difficult to help. I spent five years working with homeless AIDS victims in SF. I'm sure their families are emotionally, physically and financially exhausted from a lifetime of trying to help. It's not like a mother can come out and drag a grown man home every night, if he doesn't want to go. Read Jeanette Walls's memoir "Glass Castles" about her efforts to get her homeless parents off the street. It's not easy.

Instead of arresting these men or threatening to whack them with a baseball bat, maybe we could think about a more compassionate solution - something that addresses the root issues of the problem, not just feeding them for a day.

We should be careful about judging Wayne, Iver and friends as so different from ourselves. Drunk in a bigger house... lonely in a bigger house... mentally ill in a bigger house... Maybe it's comforting to tell ourselves there is a big difference but I think we can all identify.

Fortunately & unfortunately (two sides of the same coin) we can't force individuals with mental health or addiction issues to comply with treatment recommendations. I'm a mom and I'm a social worker, so I can relate to the majority of the concerns and opinions expressed here. Unless there is an immediate risk for harm to self or others, there is little that the police can do regarding these men.

@JRM, sleeping outside on benches doesn't provide for a restful night, so most homeless sleep in bits and pieces throughout the day as well. I'm not saying I like it any more than you do, but I think this is likely their reality.

I warn my kids to be aware all the time (and I'm sure they aren't consistent), as we can't always identify potential risk in advance. At least we all know these guys as they are easy to spot.

Posted by JRM
a resident of Vista Grande Elementary School
on Sep 14, 2013 at 7:04 pm

Mr. Sicks....may I ask you, how do we call a "hippee" ? I gather there is a number we can access? Lastly, you make the point the
Danville P.D. does not have jusrisdiction over the Iron Horse Trail in Danville. I doubt that, if kids from San Ramon High are smoking crack on the trail behind the school I am certain the Danville P.D. can take action.

Posted by Trail User
a resident of Danville
on Sep 14, 2013 at 7:18 pm

I started this thread because I got fed up. I appreciate Geoff's response and expressions of concern but the fact is these guys are still making the Museum, public bathrooms, and the Iron Horse Trail their home. We will leave an empty bucket next to the water fountain Monday morning, when Wayne is still sleeping on the bench we will fill the bucket, pour it on him, wake him up and send him on his way to Theresa's facility. I gather afer Wayne gets a bath 3 or 4 times he will move on.

When my friend's daughter was approached on the IHT by a man who doesn't fit any of the above mentioned demographics, the dispatcher refused to talk to her because it's an East Bay Parks issue. The incident occurred between Paraisio and El Cap. He wanted to "fix her bike seat" and he offered to follow her home. The Dispatcher blew the mom off by saying call EBP. I have no idea who is supposed to monitor the IHT but with the above mentioned antics of the "homeless", my friend's daughter being harassed, and the drug deals on the bridge by Greenbrook, one would think that SOMEONE would claim this as their jurisdiction.

Posted by WalterEgo
a resident of Danville
on Sep 15, 2013 at 11:42 amWalterEgo is a registered user.

@JRM I believe Mr. Sicks was merely pointing out the irony that many of the above posters use Wayne sleeping on the bench (not a crime) to take a cheap shot at the Danville PD. The irony being, "Seriously, is this all you have to complain about?" I did go to the town website and read the 2012 report which shows DPD is working harder in the needed areas. Likewise, as another poster confirmed, the "monkey in the tree" or other calls on the IHT get routed to EBRPPD thus DPD may not be aware of the event. Rest assured if a young female was getting hassled by an unknown man along the IHT and DPD got wind of it, every cop in town would be headed to the scene.

Regarding jurisdiction, DPD can take action on the IHT or anywhere in county, but they have to be aware that an event is taking place. That was another point he made that perhaps you overlooked. East Bay Regional Parks PD has jurisdiction of the IHT.

Lastly, Mr. Sicks is showing is age as there was a popular bumper sticker back in the 70's "Don't like the cops? Call a hippee." This was aimed at the anti-war, peace movement folks. Most were hippees. No number to dial other than one of your own hippee friends.

to walterego and Robert Sicko - your credibility would be increased if either of you knew how to spell. You seem so self-assured and smug in your attempts at educating people, yet you're incapable of even spelling "hippie" correctly. Clearly you weren't around then, so please don't act as if you were.
Idiots.

Posted by WalterEgo
a resident of Danville
on Sep 15, 2013 at 9:24 pmWalterEgo is a registered user.

@abcde

That's all you got? Name calling and a spelling error. Lame. Can't bring any facts or contribute to the discussion so attack the guys that are support the cops or are trying to shed light on why IHT events may not make the DPD radar. Beautiful. By the way, sentences start with a capital letter as does my screen name. If one spelling error makes me an idiot, what does two errors make you pal?

Dear Team,
9/15/13 ~11:30pm: called DPD re Iver yelling behind house (literally 10ft from
My fence) saying he's going to kill me and my family and that I need to get a real job. He was right behind fence yelling and pointing at me as I looked through my bedroom window. I called DPD to come get him but he had fled to the Iron Horse Trail before they arrived (10 min later). Iver was visibly drunk singing and yelling racial slurs and targeting my specific house and staring and yelling at my window. At this point, I cannot sleep in fear of him coming to my house and/or front door during the night. I will not be able to sleep the rest of the night due to this harassment. This isn't some what-if or IHT issue. My F'n house. I've called the DOD on him for doing this at least 10x. Maybe 3-4 he's gone to jail. I'll be up until 6am again today so preach on with your save the whales BS but this is a real problem for real families that needs real solutions. This is beyond harassment and his family lives on Greenbrook Rd in DANVILLE!
Next week I will be filing a Temp Restraining Order just as the livery and mercantile did in 2007! Yep Danville businesses and prop owners wised up. The Dominos/Los Panchos owners need to next. This way, when he trespasses and harasses the tenants and neighbors the cops have a court order to remove him.

I agree. This is out of hand and I have complained to the Danville police and they said it was the park service matter. These guys are not on the trail, but in town property. They should not be allowed to harass people.
What can be done legally?

I am amazed that no one this board has figured out how to blame this "crisis" on the Town Council, ABAG,Agenda 21 the UN, people who have lived in Danville less than 15 years and KB Homes. I thought they were the cause of all the massive problems we have in Danville

CK: I feel so sorry for you and your family having to deal with this, and understand your frustration in not getting satisfaction from the police. Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their home, without someone yelling, harrassing, and ruining their right to quiet enjoyment of their home and property. Once again, being homeless is not a crime, but threatening, yelling, intimidation is a crime, and a reasonble homeowner would feel actual fear from this person's continued criminal behavior.

Morever, do not confuse legal jurisdiction, with a sworn law enforcement officer's responsibilty and duty to always intervene in an emergency situation when the legal jurisdiction authority is not present. If Wayne or Igor knock a young girl down on the trail and are about to assault her, every sworn law enforcement officer nearby has a duty and responsibility to get involved, until the legal jurisdiction authority officer is present and has control of the situation. If you see these people committing crimes on the trial, and see a Danville PD officer nearby, immediately let the officer know, and if he refuses to help out, get his shield number and make a complaint to the Chief of the PD.

Why should an entire communities right to quiet enjoyment and use of a public trail be hijacked by a couple homeless drunks and drug addicts? Why should we not assume that a mentally ill homeless person on drugs will take it to the next level since he is out of his mind and high, and commit a violent crime on a child, woman, elderly person just trying to enjoy the trail? As a society, do we just wait for the first violent crime to take place, before something is done?

Danville is a caring, christian community, and I see so many good people at church every week, getting involved in donating to christian charities, helping the disadvantaged, and using their time, treasury, and talents to help those who need help. But if Wayne and his friends do not want to turn their lives around, do not want to get off drugs and get real help, than the criminal justice system is the only other option. I just pray that they are removed from our community before it is too late and someone is seriously injured by them.

Posted by Citizen Paine
a resident of Danville
on Sep 16, 2013 at 9:40 am

American: it's very difficult to reconcile your "caring community" mythology with all those good Christians running around this thread, brandishing metaphorical torches and pitchforks -- and actual buckets. Remember the Salem witches? They were burned, crushed and drowned by religious zealots of similar persuasions, and all for the women's Own Good, even. Hallelujah. I don't think your savior would be proud of these acts of his latter day Apostles.

And I hate your logical leap that money in the collection plate necessarily means compassionate services provided to these individuals, or that they have somehow 'chosen' their plight. It's a comfortable, self-satisfied delusion that allows you to avoid the empathy that The Christ commands his followers to demonstrate. You and your camel are going to have a tough time traversing that needle.

What WOULD Jesus do? I'm predicting that he'd wash the feet of these bums and minister to their very difficult needs. And he'd shake his head in abject dismay at the sanctimony and lack of Grace demonstrated on this site, and by you, sir.

Finally, for the record, all faiths and people of no faith except goodwill-towards-others are welcome in this valley -- Christians obviously do not have a monopoly on caring in this community.

Well maybe St. Isadores, St. Vincent dePaul etc. could open their doors at night abd set up a cot or two for these fellows to sleep at night and maybe clean up. In my heart I feel that we as neighbors should help our neighbors whether they are mentally ill or addicted to a substance. I too am a 31 year resident and business owner in downtown Danville and have found that you get more with kindness. These guys have lived here all their lives and probably know nothing of another community and feel safe here as well. I have watched other merchants react to these guys coming in their stores and it is not pretty. I know we cannot save everyone but imagine the family members who live here and watch their love one deteriorating and I am sure they are suffering too. The one thing the family members can be reasured is that they know that their loved one with a mental illness is safe here in their hometown of Danville. This is a touchy subject but alot if you need to get your head out of the mud because this problem is everywhere ands Danville has alot more isues with mental illness and substance abuse than you might think.

Posted by Mom in Danville
a resident of Montair Elementary School
on Sep 16, 2013 at 10:53 am

Wayne has been a problem from San Ramon to Alamo for many years. My children are frightened when they see Wayne walking around or sleeping on a bench near our home because he yells profanities as we walk on the trail. He has pounded on the hood of my car as we were leaving story time at the library while yelling profanities at my children in the car. He is violent and mentally ill and doesn't just "mind his own business." He can be found sleeping in church playground yards etc.....it is just not safe. For the record, my children are not afraid of people who sleep on benches, only those those yelling and approaching them violently.

I am a bit surprised how many of my fellow left wingers here seem to be calling both the original poster, and CK up above, a liar.
If I went by my own experience with the bench dwellers, I might agree. Then again, it isn't like the wife, kid, and I stop for for a game of monopoly in this spot. So I, like many of you giving Trail User and others a hard time really don't see the full scary picture. Perhaps my fellow pinkos need to go give Iver, Wayne, and nameless man #3 a warm meal, or a bed to sleep in. Then you can get back to us.
We have not always lived in the shelter of Danville, and have owned property in less upscale areas. And we've dealt with some pretty uncool things that various street people - not all of whom were affected by mental disease - have done. Defecating repeatedly in a front door alcove, leaving other extremely unsavory debris in their wake, and generally scaring plenty of our former tenants. And more.

For those like CK, I have two words: PEPPER SPRAY. Yeah, I know it ain't the right-proper god-ferrin' thing to do, but then I never did religion anyway. I am not suggesting that you go randomly spray it in someone's face because they are wearing clashing colors, because that probably would get DPD's attention in a not-so-good way. But if one of these fellows - mentally ill or not - was doing what CK described above, he would get to feel the full brunt of Mr. Capsicum if it were my house. And let me absolutely assure anyone reading this that the stuff really does work, and will serve to plant a rather permanent memory that even severe mental illness won't erase.
It's not something I would take any joy in doing, and I know how tough it is for these people to get the services they need. But there are limits as to what we can expect those they assail to put up with. My experience with the Danville police has been about 98% positive, but I am somewhat chagrined to hear they won't do much about Iron Horse trail problems. The story from "Ugh" up above is particularly disturbing, and if that had been my son or daughter there would have been a very loud $#!tstorm reigning down upon the La Gonda police station, and a nasty call to Mr. Useless, a.k.a. our good mayor.
The police cannot expect someone to wait for East Bay Parks to respond, or for that matter that they even could after 5:00pm.

As to Tom (or is it "Huh?"), please go troll somewhere else. Maybe you and "Julia Pardini" from Alamo can go get some decaf.

I rarely look at comments about articles since I'm just too busy raising a family and working but this caught my eye because, I too, walk the trail from time to time. I was truely amazed on how cruel & nasty many of you are toward one another throughout this thread of messages, attacking beliefs, name calling, discounting rights & liberties. Unbelievable! I can't read on, I am exhausted by all the hate here. However, I would like to put my 2 cents in for what it's worth. I will not perpetuate this any longer and not return to this page to hear the nasty remarks about my post. I see both sides of this story and hope these gentlemen get the help they need. Overall, I would have to agree with the concerns of the originator of this thread and I would gladly throw in the soap for that bucket of water. A much needed bath never hurt anyone! And for the unfortunate family, CK, I would document these incidents with video and call the police again and again. Videos make for a strong case. Document, document, document! Oh, and on a side note, proof-reading goes along way!
Good luck to everyone!

I've seen them too. The only problem I see is that the area becomes a tent city or safe place for more homeless. Often it is mental illness or drug addiction/alchohol that leads them to sleeping on benches. It is a sad fact, but society needs to take care of them. They cannot take care of themselves obviously. It is up to our police to do something about it. I'm sure we have anti-loitering laws, it may be the police do not want to enforce them. Criticizing local residents for complaining is not fair. Everyone has a right to live in a safe environment and not be harrassed by homeless or the mentally ill. Or, should we invite them to live in our homes? Maybe those who really feel sorry for them should do just that.

Posted by FanDanville
a resident of Danville
on Sep 17, 2013 at 9:38 am

Additional info about Wayne (red-head):
Several years ago, I used to eat lunch sometimes in the area with tables and benches across the street from the library.
Wayne was always there whenever I went--stashing his stuff (backpack) in the bushes, sleeping/sitting on the benches, and drinking hard alcohol.
On two occasions, I saw a lady (in big SUV) drive up and converse with Wayne--giving him food, money, cigarettes, etc.. I thought perhaps she was his mother, but don't know.
Wayne got up and went out to meet her car. One time he wanted something more than she brought--cigarettes I think. And he argued with her a bit. Then she drove off and returned with the wanted items--handing them through the car window.

My point is that there are co-dependents in this picture. There are enablers. The police are being enablers. The families are being enablers. Kind citizens are being enablers. People who look the other way and let them exist in these locations (that were not intended for their residency) are being enablers.

People think they are being nice, kind, and caring--they are, but they also help continue the problem.
No one cares enough to play hardball and make them change their behaviors.

Posted by FanDanville
a resident of Danville
on Sep 17, 2013 at 9:42 am

These guys are being ALLOWED to live in these locations. (Who owns and controls these specific locations--the IHT, the benches across from library, the city streets?)
These guys are being ASSISTED in maintaining their lifestyles by others. They are gaining access to needed supplies to live and someone is supplying them. Follow the money. (What are they getting and how are they getting it--money, food, liquor, clothes/sleeping bags?)
It sounds like both Wayne and Iger have family relatives who live in Danville. (Who are they?)
Who is the third guy and how did he get here?
Some people, whether from compassionate charity or guilt, are acting as co-dependents for these guys--giving them food, money, supplies to survive and to get drunk.

Posted by la dee da
a resident of Danville
on Sep 17, 2013 at 12:00 pm

simple solution folks. When you see them sleeping, take their stuff and throw it in the garbage (it's trash or stolen, after all). And repossess their shopping cart back to Albertsons. They'll move on after 3 or 4 repeats. Let's banish this plague that has been wrought upon our righteous citizenry!

Posted by Vi Gilanti
a resident of Blackhawk
on Sep 17, 2013 at 3:28 pm

A vigilante is a member of a self-appointed group that undertakes law enforcement without legal authority.

"Vigilante justice" is rationalized by the idea that adequate legal mechanisms for criminal punishment are either nonexistent or insufficient. Vigilantes typically see government as ineffective in enforcing the law; and such individuals often presume to justify their actions as fulfillment of the wishes of "the community".
Persons alleged to be "escaping the law" or "above the law" are sometimes the victims of vigilantism.

Vigilante behavior involves various degrees of violence. Vigilantes may assault targets verbally or physically or may vandalize property or actually kill individuals.

In a number of cases, vigilantism has involved targets with mistaken identities.

In Britain in the early 2000s, there were reports of vandalism, assaults and verbal abuse towards people wrongly accused of being pedophiles, following the murder of Sarah Payne.

In Guyana in 2008, Hardel Haynes was beaten to death by a mob who mistook him for a thief.

In Philadelphia in 2009, Michael Zenquis was severely assaulted by a group of locals who mistook him for a rapist on the loose.

History

Vigilantism and the vigilante ethos existed long before the word vigilante was introduced into the English language. There are conceptual and psychological parallels between the Dark Age and medieval aristocratic custom of private war or vendetta and the modern vigilante philosophy.

You seem to have a deep understanding of the term vigilante in a cut & paste sort of way, but not so much the definition of self defense or "creative discouragement".
In my case, for the reading challenged, there are two specific incidents related above: One having to do with Iver screaming abusive language and threatening violence in the middle of the night; the other with an unknown and potentially very dangerous person on the IHT in my own neighborhood, the Greenbrook area.
You don't go blast someone with pepper spray or hit them with a bat because you don't like their hygiene habits. You use self defense when and only when it is needed, and at some point - and this is what needs to be driven home to my left wing brethren - their mental issues might have to be disregarded.

Iver is back. This morning's (2am) rant/telling involved yelling "F you" outside my 2 daughters window. So, this is acceptable and should be supported ? Some of you tree huggers have lost your mind. Send me your address. I will leave a bread crumb (booze) trail for Iver to walk to YOUR house. The idea of "let's wait until he does something bad or harmful to someone"? Seriously?! I sure don't want it to be against me or my family...do you? I posted above how he attacked a truck driver in WC in 2011.
Here are some photos of Iver doing his typical. Some of DPD arresting him. One of him walking into Dominos when one young girl was working in their by herself! Yea. I would be scared if I was her but the Dominos guys support it. They have chairs on the covered porch for him to loiter, drink and sing his racial slur songs.
So I have to play Mr. Attorney and get a restraining order to stop this madness to my family? Or pay thousands to an atty to represent me? I will send the bill to Iver's mom in Greenbrook.

Wayne Morgan Oliver
Apr. 11, 1967 - Apr. 4, 2014
Resident of Danville
Wayne Morgan Oliver died bravely and peacefully on April 4, 2014. Wayne is survived by his loving mother Janet Noonkester, father Charles Oliver, sisters Sandra & Kristen Oliver, grandmother Diane Morgan, niece & nephew, aunts & uncles, cousins & friends, including his poker buddies. Wayne was born in Walnut Creek and lived in Danville his entire life. He was a sixth generation Danville/Alamo resident and will be interned at the Alamo Cemetery Apr. 29th at 2:30p.m., joining many of his family members.
Published in Contra Costa Times on Apr. 20, 2014 - See more at: Web Link

Posted by JRM
a resident of Vista Grande Elementary School
on Apr 23, 2014 at 4:03 pm

Very sad, my prayers and condolences to the family. To watch this unfolding week by week over the last 10 years or more in our downtown public spaces was inevitably proceeding to a tragic death too soon.